It's CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTOR time again

[El Presidente]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/predictor/default.stm

I think we could do it with 10 points from last 6 games, but it's squeaky bum time!

 

[HawkTheSeagull]

I now have us missing out by 1 point, us getting 76 points, but Birmingham and Middlesbrough in 5th and 6th both getting 77. We need results to go our way really, then we can sneak in - looking like it could go to the last day.

 

[Bridcutt]

1st Southampton
2nd Reading
3rd West Ham
4th Birmingham
5th Blackpool
6th Brighton !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
24th Palace

 

[patchamalbion]

i've got us 4th with 73 points.....

 

[banjo]

1st Southampton
2nd Reading
3rd West Ham
4th Birmingham
5th Blackpool
6th Brighton !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
24th Palace

This. We'll just sneak 6th.

 

[El Presidente]

Once again, plenty of people on this site have been shown up as morons. A few weeks ago all I was reading 78-80 points would be needed. What absolute nonsense. 75 will always give you a good chance in this division, and if anything, it's going to be lower this year.

I think to call people morons is unnecessary. If you look at the recent form table for the last 8 games, of the teams in contention for the play-offs the results show

Albion 13 points
Blackpool 11
M'Boro 10
Birmingham 9
Leeds 9
Cardiff 8
Hull 6

We haven't played particularly well recently, but have been difficult to beat, and that has kept us in contention.

 

[Goring Gull]

Missing ou by two points on 73 - lets hope i'm wrong

 

[scousefan]

I think we need 75 points and must take a minimum of 3 points from difficukt games vs Reading West Ham and Birmingham. Looking at the fixtures, Blackpool are a fairly safe bet. I also doubt we could catch Birmingham. Therefore we have to stay ahead of Middlesborough and Cardiff. It's not going to be easy. Any neutrals would have us just missing out - but we could do it if we get away wins at Burnley and Barnsley. I think we needed a win yesterday - but all to play for...

 

[HawkTheSeagull]

We haven't played particularly well recently, but have been difficult to beat, and that has kept us in contention.

And then theres our good home form, and we have 2 of the 3 hardest games remaining at home - we win our home games, 1 away game and draw another - it means we could afford to lose to either West Ham or Burnley. Trouble is if we lose one, then if we do still want the play-offs, we cant lose again. AHHHHHH im nervous now - by the end of the month we will either have a 25% chance of being promoted, or getting an impressive finishing position - both of which id be happy with.

 

[Goring Gull]

Barnsley and Burnley away are two bloody hard games - They will know we have to win and will just sit back and pick us off.

 

[El Presidente]

Back to the question in hand, I just worry we're starting to go backwards ever so slightly at the wrong time. We've had our fantastic run, but we've only won two of the last seven now and we look very beatable away from home. I think it's three from five now for the final three play-off spots. None of the teams are in particularly good form, but none of them are doing terribly either. I think we'll probably need to beat either Reading or West Ham, and then crunch time will be the last home game. The problem is, if you look at it without bias, we have struggled to beat any of the top teams this season and we've still got to play three of them in our last six.

My verdict - just missing out.

I think that is a fair assessment. I think however that we can afford to lose to Reading and West Ham, PROVIDED we beat Birmingham, and pick up seven points from Watford, Burnley and Barnsley. However, given our recent poor away form that is a big ask. 73 may be enough though.

 

[Rugrat]

I think it's three from five now for the final three play-off spots.

My verdict - just missing out.

Looking at the run in and applying just a little logic and I think it might be 1 from 3 (Us, Cardiff, Boro) and think we'll just miss out too.

But the last month has demonstrated the unpredictable nature of this league and I guess anything can happen. In saying that I think a minor miracle would be needed if we don't get maximum at Burnley

(Note: Minor Miracle = 6 points from Reading/WHU/Brum)

 

[Bald Gull]

Barnsley and Burnley away are two bloody hard games - They will know we have to win and will just sit back and pick us off.

Have got us in 6th - but that includes 2 wins in these 2 games (and only 2 losses - Reading & West Ham)...

 

[El Presidente]

Barnsley and Burnley away are two bloody hard games - They will know we have to win and will just sit back and pick us off.

True, but the GOOD news is that Barnsley have only picked up 4 points from the last 8 games and Burnley 6. We could do with Burnley beating Birmingham on Tuesday. Blackpool have the easiest run in and should make it, so I think it is two from Us, Birmingham, Cardiff and Middlesboro. The likes of Hull and Leeds would have to win all their remaining games to have any chance of sneaking in.

 

[LABHA]

Missing out on 1 point,which i think is about right,as i think we will need minimum of 3 wins from 6 games,cant see it happening myself.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

We'll just miss out due to our run in being tougher than the teams around us and a lack of experience in this Division.

 

[BensGrandad]

I confidently predict that we will beat Reading and Watford at home and either Burnley or West Ham away leaving us needing a maximum 4 points against Birmingham and Barnsley possibly even less will be needed. We will not lose another game until the play offs.